By Ben Archibald from NICVA
Published on 21 Aug 2006
North Belfast Community Transport and the Junction in Derry are profiled as new members.
Two very different organisations are profiled in their own words this quarter, each making a valued impact in their communities.
The Junction is a Centre set up to service the immediate community relations needs of individuals and groups in the North West counties of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The aim is to establish the Centre as a resource which allows people to connect critically and grow organically in pace with the development of a new civic society in Northern Ireland. The Centre will seek to inform and validate approaches, policy and practice that value people and empower them to live with their differences.
The objectives of the Centre are to provide:
- Physical space which can draw together in a holistic manner the diverse range of materials designed around education for peace and understanding
- Human resources by way of expertise, advice, training and support
- Clearing house of good models of practice, knowledge and insights on approaches and methods
- Library of references on local, national and international approaches to conflict situations, and alternative structures
- Database and Internet Home Page specifically designed for community relations practitioners
- Commitment to improved community relations work through proactive methods which both complement existing work and initiate new work
- Promotion of functional relationships between the communities which encourage interdependency
- Promotion of individual development
- Empower individuals to make a difference within their own community
Activities and Services:
The ethos on which much of the work is based derives from Community Development and Community Relations’ principles. These tailor the activities of the Centre and focus on the primary values of moral, civic, social and political education and evaluation. The Centre is non-prescriptive and avoids preconceived notions about ‘correct’ solutions.
An important role for the early life of the Centre will be to undertake an audit of CR work in the region and to conduct a critical overview of the briefs and portfolios held by practitioners. The study will involve researching and evaluation policy and practice and promoting ‘models of good practice’ at regional, national and international levels. (It is anticipated that funding for a Research Officer will be secured for this task).
The focus of the Centre will be to serve as an ‘access point’ and ‘gate keeper’ guiding, resourcing and supporting individuals and organisations in community relations work including peace-building; cultural education; anti-sectarianism; overcoming structural sectarianism; human rights education and training; and anti-racist work. The influencing of policy at the local, regional, national and international levels will be among its core functions.
The Centre will act as a central resource providing:
- An accessible safe venue;
- Information exchange on models of good practice
- Access to databases of existing research and codes of practice
- Web-site for local groups to market their activities, practice and other related topics
- Base for sharing technical knowledge
- Pooling of resources and ideas through audio, video, media, arts and drama
Photos:
Above: Maureen Hetherington of the Junction in Derry.
Below: Kellie Armstrong, NBCT Manager, with directors, inone of the group's minibuses.
The Centre will also provide:
- Access to facilities for training, seminars and workshops
- Production of/access to training packs and manuals for community relations trainers/facilitators
- Funding information for groups and individuals interested in working in the community relations field
- Networking opportunities for community relations practitioners
- Outreach programme to encourage the mainstreaming of community relations and respect for difference
The Centre will act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for information. It will be a repository for information, resources and materials that will be made available on request. The Centre has the potential to fulfil an Ireland-wide remit informing community relations’ practice and acting as the ‘hub’ for networking and internet-working both nationally and internationally.
North Belfast Community Transport
Community transport is not just a nine to five job for North Belfast Community Transport Manager Kellie Armstrong. "North Belfast Community Transport aims to provide affordable, accessible transport for the community of North Belfast. This means that our minibuses are available all day, every day. If the community needs transport we are here to help." explained Kellie.
"The main aim of NorthBelfast Community Transportis to provide access to employment through transport and to develop a reliable, affordable, community transport system which will benefit everyone throughout North Belfast. 
Need for suitable transport is the one thing that all community groups, associations, clubs and churches have in common. It is wonderful that Urba
n II have provided funding through North Belfast Community Transport to develop the current community transport within Belfast.
North Belfast Community Transport now offers 5 x15 passenger seat minibuses for community use. All minibuses have a passenger lift making them suitable for people with limited mobility and people who use wheelchairs. For those groups who can provide a MiDAS trained driver minibuses can be hired on a self-drive basis alternatively North Belfast Community Transport can provide a driver from within their team”.
North Belfast Community Transport is providing MiDAS training for all drivers is offered free of charge until end March 2007. Kellie will be providing training; she is a qualified Driver Assessor Trainer with the Community Transport Association’s Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS). “North Belfast Community Transport is providing MiDAS training for all drivers whether they are paid or volunteer for 2 reasons. The first is that MiDAS improves the driver’s ability and increases safety for passengers. MiDAS outlines the legal and driving responsibilities for drivers and develops driving skills so that both passengers and their community groups are safe while on board a North Belfast Community Transport minibus. For example, not many people realize that speed limits for minibuses are not the same as for cars.
The second reason is cheaper bus insurance. North Belfast Community Transport is committed to the development of Community Transport across not only North Belfast but also the whole of Northern Ireland. We are delighted to be associated with the Community Transport Association and through that connection have access to benefits such as cheaper insurance. One of the criteria for accessing this lower cost insurance is to ensure that all drivers have received appropriate training (MiDAS)”.
North Belfast Community Transport is a wonderful initiative. It will provide access in an area so long deprived of community developments enjoyed by other areas of Northern Ireland."
Groups who want to access minibus transport should contact the North Belfast Community Transport office for a membership form and further details.
The Junction,
Derry/Londonderry
BT48 6PW
North Belfast Community Transport
Unit 39, North City Business Centre
Duncairn Gardens
Belfast
BT15 2GG
028 9074 7700
This page has been viewed 8816 times since it was published.
